Alien Alliance

by Honey Phillips

  “You’ve spent all these years hell bent on mating with T’kol and now you’ve added this Icluthian? Are you sure?”

  “I am. I lo— I care for him very much. And for T’kol. That’s the most important thing.”

  “Is it? How can you be so reckless?”

  “Rachel, you climbed down ten stories of rickety fire escape and swam through a mountain lake. I don’t think you can accuse me of being reckless.”

  Rachel scowled at her. “I had to do that.”

  “And I have to do this.”

  “But what about your future?”

  “I don’t know. Just like you didn’t know when you went off with T’chok,” she added pointedly.

  “Love can make anyone reckless,” Sarah said soothingly. “Rachel only wants the best for you, right, Rachel?”

  “Well, of course, but—”

  “And you know that Lizzie is an intelligent young adult, right?”

  “I suppose.” Rachel did not appear convinced.

  “Then have a little faith in her,” Sarah said gently.

  “I’ll remind you of this conversation in seven years when Jane turns eighteen and wants to run off with the first male she meets,” Rachel muttered.

  Sarah shuddered. “Please don’t. At this point, I’m afraid she won’t even wait that long.” She smiled at the two of them. “But T’gana will never let anything happen to her. How does T’chok feel about this?”

  “He told me it was Lizzie’s decision,” Rachel admitted reluctantly.

  Thank you, T’chok, she thought silently. He had listened to her last night.

  “But he’s also investigating this lizard.”

  “What? He can’t do that.” Her appreciation disappeared immediately.

  “He most certainly can. You don’t know anything about him.”

  “I know a lot about him.”

  “You’ve known him for less than a week.”

  “And how long did you know T’chok?”

  Rachel blushed. “Okay, you have a point there. But it’s different with the Yehrin. They know right away when they meet their mate.”

  “Do they? Look how long it took for T’kol to make a claim on me.”

  “How does he feel about this?” Sarah asked. “He didn’t say much this morning.”

  “He said he was willing to try,” she said slowly. “When we were alone in the cave, I wasn’t worried about it at all.”

  “And now?”

  “It’s still fine when we’re alone. He bosses us around, but in a really good way.” Her cheeks heated, but both of the other women nodded. “And he treats Hisst almost like a younger brother. It’s just that when others are around, he seems very… stiff.”

  “Most males aren’t known for their communication skills, regardless of their species.”

  “I think Hisst is going to surprise you,” she said dryly.

  “It is an unusual situation,” Sarah pointed out. “Maybe T’kol is just coming to terms with it.”

  “I hope that’s all it is. I don’t want to lose either one of them.” The truth of that statement echoed in her head.

  “Well, I want to meet him,” Rachel said. “Sarah, will you watch the girls?”

  “Of course.”

  Lizabet rolled her eyes and accepted the inevitable.

  A few minutes later they were on their way back to T’kol’s quarters. Even Rachel’s back looked stiff and angry.

  “Rach,” she said softly.

  “What is it?”

  “Please give him a chance. I know you think I’m being reckless, but I feel surer about this than anything else I’ve ever done. I really want it to work and I want you on my side.”

  Rachel stopped and turned towards her. “Oh, Lizzie. I’m always on your side.”

  “I know. You’ve been there for me since the first day on the ship. Can you please, please be here for me now?”

  Some of the tension eased out of Rachel’s posture. “I’ll try my best to give him a fair chance. What’s he like?”

  “Green.” When Rachel rolled her eyes, Lizabet laughed. “He’s sweet and funny but he’s also brave and fierce.”

  “He sounds a lot like you.”

  She ducked her head to hide the pleased look on her face.

  “But if that’s true,” Rachel continued, “Where does T’kol come in?”

  “It’s different with him. Like I said, he’s bossy but he’s also protective and caring. If I wanted to jump off a cliff, Hisst would jump with me but T’kol would be there to catch me—and now I think he would be there to catch both of us. Does that sound dumb?”

  “No, Lizzie.” Rachel stopped and pulled her into a quick hug. “It sounds perfect for you.”

  The two resumed walking, a little more slowly this time. After a thoughtful minute, Rachel shot her a speculative glance. “Isn’t there’s only one bed in T’kol’s room?”

  Her cheeks heated again. “Yes.”

  “You kinky girl,” Rachel teased.

  “Oh, please. At least I don’t call either of them Daddy.”

  Rachel blushed and laughed. “Smartass.”

  They were still laughing as they approached the door. Through the surrounding windows, she could see T’kol and Hisst and her heart did a funny little flip. She had missed them, she realized. Even though they had only been apart for a few hours, she had felt their absence. As soon as she walked through the door and breathed in their familiar scents, something clicked into place, like the final piece in a jigsaw puzzle. She moved into Hisst’s arms and he immediately wrapped them around her. Since Rachel was present, she wasn’t sure if T’kol would also want a hug, but to her surprise, he stepped up behind her while she was still in Hisst’s arms and circled her from the back. She smiled happily at both of them.

  “Hi, boys. What have you been up to?”

  “I have been on the training path, but alas, T’kol could not follow me.” The black uniform that Hisst was wearing suited him—the dark color accenting the golden sheen to his green scales and the width of his shoulders.

  “I told you that the medic would not let me participate,” T’kol growled.

  “Of course, my brace mate. Did I say otherwise?” Hisst looked so innocent that both Lizabet and Rachel laughed.

  “Hisst, this is Rachel—my friend and my sister.”

  “I am pleased to meet one of Lissie’s fellow queens,” he said gravely, bowing his head to Rachel. “I have already met so many today—Sarah and the two young ones. Humans are greatly blessed.”

  “Queen?” Rachel looked startled.

  “It’s a long story,” she said. “Do you want to join us for lunch?”

  “I don’t want to leave Sarah with my two ‘queens’ for too long, but maybe a cup of coffee?”

  Despite her protest, Rachel stayed for another half hour and by the time she left, Lizabet was sure that she’d been won over by Hisst.

  “Alone at last,” she said playfully. “Maybe we should take advantage—”

  The door alarm sounded and T’gana appeared to brief them on the existing situation with both the Saviji and the Icluthians. Several times Hisst amended one of T’gana’s statements and the big warrior nodded gratefully. Before he could leave, Emily appeared. The senior commander’s mate had a baby in each arm, but it didn’t slow her bubbly personality or her relentless enthusiasm. Her older daughter, Emlan, watched everything from enormous green eyes with Yehrin slit pupils. She was almost a year older than Lizabet’s sisters, but she was a tiny little thing, with small black horns peeking from her blonde curls, and she spent most of the visit leaning against T’renan. The big, one-horned warrior had been her protector since she was born, and he showed no sign of relinquishing that responsibility.

  Just as they left, Benji appeared with her sisters. To her surprise, he was cordial to Hisst. Knowing how much he identified with the Yehrin warriors, she wouldn’t have been surprised if he had been rude to the Icluthian. Sophie and Jannie were fascinated with
Hisst and wanted to examine his eyes, and his nose, and his ears, all of which he bore with extreme patience. He seemed equally as curious about them and before long he was sitting on the floor playing tea party with them and keeping them giggling.

  A pang of guilt hit her as she watched them. He would have made a wonderful father and now he would never have the chance.

  “He’s okay,” Benji said grudgingly as he joined her on the couch.

  “Hisst? I know he is, you twerp.”

  “You really like him, Lizzie?”

  “I do.”

  “But you still like T’kol?” He dropped his voice, but she was quite sure that T’kol heard him from across the room where he was talking to T’renan because his body tensed.

  “Very much so,” she said firmly, and saw T’kol relax. Was he really that unsure about her feelings?

  “I don’t understand it.” Benji shook his head. “But if this is what you want, I’ve got your back.”

  “Thanks, bug.” She hugged him and he returned it for a second before pushing her gently away.

  “Don’t get all mushy on me, lizard breath.”

  The old nickname made her choke with laughter and he flushed to the roots of his hair. She took pity on his embarrassment and changed the subject.

  “Have you decided where you’re going to college?”

  “No. I wanna stay close to home, but none of the nearby schools have the right programs.”

  “It’s only four years, and you can come home whenever there’s a break.”

  “I know.” He looked over at T’kol and T’renan, the longing obvious on his face. “But this is where I want to stay. This is part of me.”

  No matter how much he wanted it, nothing was going to turn him into a Yehrin warrior. Since he knew that as well as she did, she changed the subject again and they were soon in a heated discussion about the latest flyer model.

  More visitors came and went and by the time everyone finally left, she was exhausted. As soon as the door closed behind the last one, she yawned and stretched. “Can’t you put a lock on that thing? Turn out the lights? Disable the door alarm?”

  T’kol shrugged. “This is intended as an office, not a social center.” An odd expression crossed his face as he picked up his tablet. “But T’lan did say that my other duties were being handled. I will indicate that we are not to be disturbed.”

  “You are tired, my queen?” Hisst asked anxiously. He picked her up and sat back on the couch with her tucked against his chest and she settled into his arms. Mm, he smelled so good. “I wish we had a bathing pool so that I could take care of you.”

  “We will tomorrow,” T’kol said grimly, looking up from his device.

  “Really?”

  “Yes. The residence should be assembled by then.” He scowled. “It has been decorated according to Icluthian tastes.”

  She pushed gently at Hisst and as soon as he released her, she went over to T’kol and wrapped her arms around him.

  “If you would rather stay here, I don’t care what T’lan thinks. We’ll stay here.” She hated seeing him look so unhappy.

  To her relief, he returned her embrace, then bent his head to nuzzle at her curls.

  “I believe you are forgetting that this entire building is under his command,” he said dryly. “But it is not really about my quarters. There is little enough here that is truly mine.”

  “Then, what is it?”

  “The relationship between a warrior and his L’chka should be private,” he said finally. She heard Hisst stand but T’kol shook his head. “You do not need to leave, H’sst. You are part of this relationship too. I just do not like feeling as if we are being used for other purposes.”

  Hisst’s cool body pressed against her back but his eyes were focused on T’kol.

  “What would you have us do?” he asked. “I think it is important to have this meeting, but if you do not want to go through with it, I will follow your lead.”

  “You will?”

  “Of course. You are my brace mate.”

  T’kol unwrapped one arm from around her so that he could clasp Hisst’s shoulder. “Thank you, brace mate.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  For a long moment the three of them stood together in silence, but then the feel of L’zabet’s lush body pressed against T’kol’s had the inevitable effect on him. As his cock hardened, her nipples pressed against his chest and he caught the scent of her arousal, even as H’sst’s spice flooded the air. Despite the unexpected comfort of being surrounded by his mates, frustration still filled him. This relationship should have been theirs to explore, not a tool to be utilized.

  “Shall we adjourn to the bedroom?” Lizabet whispered.

  He wanted to lose himself in her soft body as much as he had ever wanted anything in his life, but…

  “I am not sure that I can be gentle, my L’chka.”

  “I do not believe that you would hurt her,” H’sst protested.

  “No. But I will fuck her. Hard. So that she feels every inch of me in that tight little cunt.”

  L’zabet’s funny round pupils dilated and her scent deepened.

  “I’m okay with that.” She swayed towards him.

  “This is your wish, my queen?” H’sst asked.

  “Oh, yes.”

  T’kol scooped her up and headed for the bedroom. As he went to place her on the bed, he suddenly realized that his leg was never going to allow him to take her the way he wanted. Trying to suppress his annoyance, he let her slide to the ground.

  “Remove your clothing.”

  The color on her cheeks deepened, but she did not protest. As soon as she discarded her garments, H’sst stepped up behind her, his hands curving around to cup her breasts and toy with her already distended nipples. The sight gave him an idea.

  “Put your hands under her thighs and lift her into the air facing me,” he ordered. “L’zabet, reach back and put your arms around H’sst’s neck.”

  Neither one of them hesitated and a wave of satisfaction washed over him.

  “Now spread her legs.”

  Perfect. H’sst held her suspended in mid-air, her pale skin glowing against the Icluthian’s golden green scales. With her arms around his neck, her luscious breasts jutted forward, flushed pink with arousal, and her nipples as hard and red as two ripe berries, while his stone glowed between them. Between her legs, coppery curls framed her delicate pink folds, already glistening with arousal. He fisted his cock, taking in the erotic sight, and her eyes followed the movement, a small pink tongue wetting her lips.

  “T’kol,” she whispered.

  “Do you like this, my jewel? Being spread open for my pleasure?’ He stepped closer, close enough that his cock brushed against the silken heat between her legs, then bent his head, his mouth voraciously attacking a taut peak. She gave a breathless gasp and arched against him, causing his cock to slide deeper between her folds. He deliberately dragged the roughened surface over the swollen pearl of her clit and felt it throb beneath him. She tried to writhe but H’sst held her firmly in place.

  “You are beautiful, my queen.”

  Knowing that the Icluthian watched only added to his urgency.

  “I can not wait any longer.”

  He adjusted his angle and all three of them watched as the broad grey head probed the small entrance. Even with the copious wetness bathing his head, he struggled to breach the tight ring of muscle. He grabbed her hips and thrust harder. As her body stretched to accommodate him and he finally delved inside, a current of energy flowed between the three. H’sst’s scent and L’zabet’s arousal made his head swim. It took all of his self-control to moderate his pace and let her body adjust as he pushed slowly, inexorably deeper until she took all of him.

  “Brace her,” he ordered with his last shred of restraint. H’sst pulled her upper body tight against his chest, his hands covering her breasts, and T’kol lost all reason. Pulling her hips against his with every thrust, he slammed into
her over and over, his hearts thundering, the pressure already building at the base of his spine as he sought to bury himself deeper, harder into his mate. Fire roared through his veins as he exploded. He felt her channel convulsing around him as his own body shuddered and H’sst supported them both. His legs trembled, and his injured leg ached, but satisfaction filled him. This bond between them felt so right.

  A sharp sibilant sound penetrated his contentment and he looked up to meet H’sst’s eyes. The obvious need in them forced him to pull free. As soon as he withdrew, H’sst spun L’zabet around and brought her down on his primary cock. Her back arched and she cried out with pleasure. For once there was nothing slow or gentle about H’sst’s actions. He thrust into her as eagerly as T’kol had done, while she keened her pleasure and clung to him.

  T’kol had thought himself sated, but the sight of his mate being so thoroughly pleasured had his shaft stiffening once more. He moved up behind her, his cock cradled delightfully between her lush buttocks. For a moment he was tempted to take advantage of her second tight little hole, but she was not prepared, and he would not cause her pain.

  That did not mean, however, that he could not continue her training. He dipped a finger in her copious moisture, then circled her bottom hole. He pressed gently against the small entrance, not forcing his way in, but each stroke that H’sst made pushed her back against his finger until at last the tight ring gave way and he slipped inside.

  Her cries increased and he felt her convulsing around his finger, the grip so tight that he could barely move. H’sst let out a matching cry and T’kol felt him harden through the thin membrane separating them. The feel of both his mates’ pleasure triggered his own, and he came in a second heated rush, coating her back in his seed.

  L’zabet cried out again when he removed his finger, then collapsed forward onto H’sst’s chest. She turned her head enough to give him a sleepy smile.

  “It just keeps getting better.”

  “Yes, my L’chka.” His earlier frustration had disappeared, and he was filled with contentment. He lifted her gently free of H’sst and cradled her in his arms as the Icluthian also gave him a contented smile.

  “Now, I think that all of us could use a shower. Then I assume a quiet dinner alone?”